Having too much humidity in your home can lead to a host of problems – from mold growth to musty odors. While running a dehumidifier helps, certain houseplants can also naturally reduce humidity levels and purify indoor air.

In this article, we’ll look at 8 of the best indoor plants to reduce humidity in your home or apartment. We’ll go over each plant, highlighting its appearance, size, care needs and effectiveness at removing moisture from the air.

Spider Plant

The spider plant is one of the most popular and readily available indoor plants that reduces humidity. With long, slender green leaves with white stripes, it has a graceful, cascading appearance. The spider plant has earned its name from the baby spiderettes or plantlets that form on flowering stems.

Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light and average room temperatures between 65-75°F Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The spider plant does well in hanging baskets or pots It can grow quite large, up to 3 feet, making it great for filling space.

The spider plant absorbs moisture through its leaves and releases it back into the air through transpiration. This makes it excellent for reducing humidity levels and removing toxins like formaldehyde from the air.

Lilac

Known for its wonderfully fragrant purple blooms in spring, the lilac also makes a fantastic indoor plant for combatting humidity all year round There are over 25 lilac species, with common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) being the most popular

Lilacs grow best in cool conditions, around 60-75°F and indirect sunlight. Let the soil dry out between watering. Prune back mature stems after flowering to promote new growth Lilacs can grow quite large but can be kept compact through pruning.

The lilac’s broad leaves and dense growth habit allow it to effectively absorb and transpire moisture. Place lilacs in humid areas like bathrooms or basements to help maintain healthier humidity levels.

Peace Lily

If you want a pretty, low maintenance indoor plant that reduces humidity, the peace lily is an excellent choice. With dark green leaves and classic white blooms, it adds simple elegance and freshness to indoor spaces.

Peace lilies thrive in medium to low, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The white blooms appear in spring and summer. Remove blooms as they fade and prune back the plant as needed to maintain its shape. Peace lilies can grow up to 3 feet tall but do well in smaller pots.

The peace lily’s adaptability to various lighting and humidity levels makes it ideal for combatting dampness indoors. Place peace lilies in problem areas to soak up excess moisture.

Purple Waffle Plant

The purple waffle plant, or red ivy, is a humidity-busting indoor plant known for its colorful foliage. It has velvety, purple-hued leaves with a distinctive wrinkled texture that resembles a waffle. When grown in bright light, the leaves develop striking red undertones.

Purple waffle plants like consistent moisture and do best in high humidity environments, so they are perfectly suited for reducing indoor humidity. Grow purple waffle plants in medium to bright, indirect light. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Prune back trailing stems to encourage bushiness. This plant looks stunning in a hanging basket and can trail up to 3 feet long.

Thanks to its tropical origins, the purple waffle plant naturally absorbs moisture from the air through its textured leaves. Place it in high humidity spots around your home to help balance the air.

Windmill Palm

The windmill palm is a compact, tropical palm with graceful, fan-shaped fronds. It has slender trunks topped with olive-green, deeply divided leaves up to 3 feet long. The windmill palm thrives indoors in bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.

While most palms prefer steamy conditions, the windmill palm actually does quite well in average humidity. Its lush foliage soaks up moisture from the air, helping to reduce indoor humid conditions that could lead to mold or mildew growth. Place windmill palms in your most humid rooms for an instant tropical feel.

Boston Fern

Ferns are naturally gifted at removing indoor pollutants and humidity. The Boston fern, in particular, is one of the best options for combatting dampness in the home with its expansive, dense foliage. This graceful fern has long, arching green fronds divided into delicate leaflets.

Boston ferns love warm, humid conditions with indirect light and frequent watering. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Mist the foliage regularly to mimic its preferred tropical habitat. Prune back any dead or damaged fronds to keep it looking fresh. Boston ferns can grow quite large but also do well in hanging baskets.

With its extensive foliage and thirst for moisture, the Boston fern is adept at absorbing humidity from the air. Place Boston ferns in troubled areas like bathrooms or laundry rooms to soak up the moisture.

Bamboo Palm

Also known as the reed palm, the bamboo palm is a compact, versatile palm that excels at reducing indoor humidity levels. It has a sparse, bamboo-like trunk topped with delicate, arching green leaves that lend an airy, tropical look.

Bamboo palms are easy to care for, tolerating a wide range of light, temperature and humidity levels. Provide bright, indirect light to partial sun. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. The bamboo palm typically reaches 4 to 8 feet indoors, so it’s a substantial presence that can soak up a lot of humidity.

Thanks to its adaptability, the bamboo palm makes an excellent humidity reducer. Its graceful form and lush, tropical appeal add style while absorbing moisture from the air.

Air Plants

For a unique indoor plant that reduces humidity without any soil, look no further than air plants. Part of the Tillandsia genus, air plants are epiphytes that absorb moisture and nutrients from the air through specialized cells on their leaves called trichomes.

Air plants come in a stunning array of shapes, sizes and leaf colors, from spiky and slender to broad and curling. They do best when mounted on wood or other organic materials versus soil. Mist air plants 2-3 times per week and soak in water every 1-2 weeks.

With their ability to draw ample moisture from the air, air plants help balance humidity levels indoors. Display them creatively around your home without the need for planters or pots.

Conclusion

Controlling indoor humidity can be a challenge, especially in damp climates or older homes. While dehumidifiers help, strategic placement of indoor plants can provide natural humidity reduction without running up your utility bills.

Plants like spider plants, Boston ferns and peace lilies are some of the top options for soaking up excess moisture from the air. Their lush leaves and adaptations for high humidity make them ideal for placement in damp areas prone to mildew or mold growth.

When selecting humidity-reducing plants, consider factors like the plant’s size, leaf density and growth rate. Faster growing plants with full, expansive foliage will absorb more moisture. Check that the plant’s other care needs like light and watering match your home environment. With the right selections, indoor plants can help maintain healthier humidity levels and air quality while bringing natural beauty indoors.